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9 Best Laptops Under $400 2024 – Top Picks Review & Buyer’s Guide

It does not matter to which walk of life you belong in 2024, having a laptop is a must for accomplishing certain tasks. Laptops are designed to make your life easier and efficient through different functionalities. It is noteworthy to mention that the current time of the COVID-19 has created uncertainty of shutting down the normal routine life at any point. Therefore, you are left with your laptop to do the possible work from home.

If you are a regular user of any kind of laptop then you must be very keen on the best laptops. However, we also understand that sometimes having a tight budget can be making things a bit tricky for you. Especially if you are a student or you are given the task of purchasing the number of laptops for employees of a firm. In that case, you must be very critical about the cost. To help you in this situation, we have especially compiled this review guide and pre-purchase considerations on the best laptops under $400. So, scroll down and choose the excellent product!

Top Laptops under $400

1. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

 

We have placed Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 at the top of the review list of the best laptops under $400 for you in 2024. We have simply done this because we have used the Chromebook and we found it as a remarkable laptop that you can grab at a fair price. Despite the fair price range, it offers an amazing range of features. Let us discuss them with you.

Most of the users of the Chromebook call it a 2-in-1 laptop. That means this laptop is so good in terms of the physical outlook and also performance. Thanks to the manufacturers of this laptop who have limited its size to only 2.97 pounds so that you can enjoy the exclusive portability. Also, you will love the 360-degree hinge of your Chromebook. This hinge will be enabling you to utilize your Chromebook for different multi-mode purposes.

This laptop also comes with an excellent resolution. To be more specific, we must say that it has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The viewing angles are impressively sharper. In addition to this, the responsiveness and color accuracy of the touch screen display of the Chromebook will make you want this amazing gadget. The type of processor used in this laptop is 10th gen Intel core, therefore, you can comprehend the excellent quality of this product.

Pros
  • User friendly
  • 10th gen processor
  • Sharper IPS display
Cons
  • Unsuitable for power users

 

Purchasing a laptop on a tight budget can be a tedious and tricky task. However, you don’t need to search for other best laptops under $400 as long as we are suggesting you Chromebook by Lenovo. The UHD graphics co-processor and excellent 4 GB RAM will be enabling you to accomplish your office and study-related tasks with this laptop. Therefore, we would love to suggest you go for this innovative and efficiently designed laptop. Chromebook is a must-consider option!

2. Dell Inspiron 14 5000

Dell Inspiron 14 5000

 

Let us now talk about our all-time favorite and durable laptop in the review list of the best laptops under $400 for you in 2024. Yes, we are pointing towards the most famous but economical laptop and that is Dell Inspiron 14 5000. Having a minimal weight of 3.42-pound, Inspiron has become one of the excellent choices in terms of easier portability.

It comes with a 1366 x 768 pixels resolution and a 14-inch HD screen. So, now it will be very easy for you to design your favorite logo with it or you may love to write your book chapters comfortably. Therefore, you will be doing yourself a great favor by investing your money in this laptop. We too encourage you to go for this laptop because it proved very good in our utilization.

Another remarkable feature that will make you want this amazing laptop is its power-saving mode. In addition to this, it comes with LED-backlit technology. This backlit technology is quite brighter and therefore feels sufficient for the fundamental computer-based working. Thanks to the Dell manufacturers for updating the processor to 10th gen Intel core i3.

Pros
  • Optional backlit keyboard
  • Excellent durability
  • UHD integrated graphics
Cons
  • Slightly dim brightness

 

If you want to have a medium-budget laptop for your studies, office work, movies, online gaming then there is no need to search through the internet for hours. The reason is that Inspiron by Dell is here to amaze you with its remarkable and outstanding features and that too in a very economical manner. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to go for this laptop. Investing in the Dell Inspiron will be worth it!

3. Acer Aspire 5 Slim A515-43-R19L 15.6-inch

Acer Aspire 5 Slim A515-43-R19L 15.6-inch

 

Next, we have for you another best laptop under $400 which is available for you in 2024 and that is the Acer Aspire 5 Slim A515-43-R19L 15.6-inch. You will be glad to learn that Acer Aspire is one of the best seller laptops which is famous for its incredible features available at a very fair price. Therefore, we have decided to review this important and best laptop for you.

The best things that we came to know about this laptop through using it are its outstanding performance and also its design. The design of the Acer Aspire is so lightweight that you will not feel burdened taking it to your university or office. Other users of the Acer Aspire also admire its excellent quality IPS display. This IPS technology is responsible for the display of the sharper and clear viewing angles in addition to the reproduction of the color in an accurate manner.

If you are looking for more specific details then we are glad to tell you that it comes with the processer known as 2.6Ghz AMD Ryzen 3 3200U and an Intel i3 inside it. Therefore, your Acer Aspire is competing with the expensive Intel Celeron-based laptops. If you are highly repelled by the poor graphics of your laptop and computer then Acer Aspire is here to amaze you with its excellent graphics. Well, thanks to the Radeon RX Vega 3 graphics inside it.

Pros
  • Lightweight design
  • Excellent contrast
  • Remarkable battery life
Cons
  • Storage needs improvement

 

Having a laptop with an excellent processor and graphics will enable you to enjoy doing your work on your laptop. Also, you may use such a good laptop for enjoying the power games. Acer Aspire is one of the best laptops which will help you in doing all such tasks. Battery life and audio of the Acer Aspire will also inspire you. Therefore, if you invest your money in it, we assure you, Acer Aspire will not disappoint you with its performance.

4. Acer Chromebook 514 CB514-1HT-C7AZ 14-inch

Acer Chromebook 514 CB514-1HT-C7AZ 14-inch

 

The list of the best laptops under $400 in 2024 will be incomplete without the addition of the Acer Chromebook 514 CB514-1HT-C7AZ 14-inch. You will see different reviewers describing Acer Chromebook as one of the most attractive and elegant laptops because of its high-end finishing. That is the reason you must prefer buying this impressive pick because it just like its design will be amazing to you with its performance too.

It comes with the Celeron CPU. Therefore if you need reliable and quicker performance for completing your daily tasks then owning an Acer Chromebook can make your life easier beyond your imagination. The Full-HD anti-glare matte display of your Acer Chromebook will be touching your heart and enables you to use this amazing laptop in outdoor or comparatively brighter environments also.

The amazing weight of 3.09 pounds and a thickness of 0.67 inches will be making it easier for you to take it with you wherever you go. Also, the durability of this laptop has not been compromised. Thanks to the Acer manufacturers for using aluminum as the building material of this laptop. Another feature which you will love is the chiclet keyboard.

Pros
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Matchless matte display
  • Excellent portability
Cons
  • Slight manufacturing defects

 

If you want to accomplish your day-to-day task with an excellent laptop then going for Acer Chromebook will be the wisest decision you can ever make. Acer Chromebook is offering you’re a wide range of remarkable and unique features at a very low price in comparison to the market-worthy choices. Based on our personal experience with the Acer Chromebook, we strongly suggest you go for this pick. You will love it!

5. Asus VivoBook 15

Asus VivoBook 15

 

We don’t want you to miss an outstanding laptop like Asus VivoBook 15. Therefore, we have comprehensively reviewed VivoBook 15 for you in the list of the best laptops under $400 in 2024. This version of the VivoBook 15 has come up with a considerable amount of improvement. You may see this improvement in terms of its fair price. Therefore, you must go for this efficient pick to enjoy its benefits.

In addition to its price, the manufacturers have also added a great deal of security-enhancing specifications. So, you will say wow as you go through the specs list of your VivoBook 15. You will have the exclusively best typing experience and that too on a very good budget. There will be a slight level of the lifted hinge. The weight of this amazing laptop is hardly 3.75 pounds. Therefore, having it inside your bag will not be bothering you.

You will be getting 1920 x 1080 pixels display resolution with your VivoBook 15. There is a considerable increase in the screen-to-chassis ratio. We must be grateful to the manufacturers for using NanoEdge bezels which adds to the excellent display and improves it by 88%. The processor type of this laptop is 10th generation Intel Core i3. Therefore, you can do a great deal of the demanding tasks with ease.

Pros
  • Attractive fingerprint scanner
  • Excellent battery support
  • Standard keyboard
Cons
  • Wi-Fi 6 support absent

 

Everyone loves to have an efficient laptop that would help them in their daily tasks. If you love to have speedy laptops then you must not be ignoring VivoBook 15 because it comes with a UHD graphics coprocessor. You will be able to store and retrieve a large number of the files with it. Since we have personally used VivoBook 15 and we can assure you about its excellent performance. So, you must not overlook this pick.

6. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Lenovo IdeaPad 3

 

We are now introducing you to the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 in the review list of the best laptops under $400 which you can purchase in 2024. We just love IdeaPad 3 because when we used it, it satisfied our all work and gaming-related demands. Thanks to the efficient processor i.e. AMD Ryzen which will be enabling you to accomplish great tasks with your IdeaPad 3 in a short time.

To be more specific about your IdeaPad 3, let us give you another good news that the resolution of this laptop is 1920 x 1080 pixels. Not just this but it comes with an impressive LED display. LED display of the IdeaPad 3 is really a show stopper in the laptops market. The reason is that it imparts the slimmer paneling in dual ways so as a result, you get all the impressive graphics with excellent colors.

In terms of portability, IdeaPad 3 is a good choice because it is sleeker and makes it easier for you to move it wherever you go. Another good news in this regard is that the battery coming with the IdeaPad 3 is a powerful one. By this, we mean that if you fully charge it then it will be accompanying you for almost 6 hours. The major reason we used this laptop for quite some time was its efficient battery life.

Pros
  • Excellent integrated graphics
  • Acoustic setup
  • Extended battery life
Cons
  • Illuminated keyboard missing

 

If you are tired of keeping your laptop charger and connecting it after every hour then there is a very good solution to your problem. Just end this fatigue by purchasing IdeaPad 3. You will love to work with this efficient laptop. However, the major reason for which you will love to own is its battery life. With the 6 hours of functionality, you can work in a carefree mode.

7. HP 14 INCH A9 9425 Processor

HP 14 INCH A9 9425 Processor

 

With HP 14 INCH A9 9425 Processor, we come to the end of the review list of the best laptops under $400 which you can purchase in 2024. We may not be able to cover all the amazing features HP A9 has. However, we will be discussing with you the best features to make you understand that HP A9 is quite worthy of investing your money in. Let us throw some light on these features.

HP A9 is one of the best laptops available at an economical price with a slim design and it is also an ultra-portable laptop. Therefore, HP A9 can play a great role in increasing your social engagements through different platforms. Also, if you are a working person or student then it will be enhancing your productivity in a very considerable manner.

You will love the ‘more screen’ inside the smaller frame. Well, thanks to the excellent AMD Radeon R5 Graphics which enables such an enhancement. In addition to all the remarkable features that this laptop possesses, we love it for its extended and excellent battery life. When we had used this laptop, we worked for many hours without worrying about the charger. We know you also need this type of freedom. Therefore, you must consider buying this amazing laptop.

Pros
  • Elevated keyboard
  • Compatible with Alexa
  • Outstanding screen to body ratio
Cons
  • Backlit keyboard missing

 

Heavier and inefficient laptops can shut down your mood instantly because you can’t enjoy the dramas or movies over it. Also, in the case of work, such laptops can increase your frustration. That is why we suggest you go for a laptop which is both slim and stylish like HP 14 INCH A9 9425 Processor. Also, it has good technical functionality. We assure you, if you invest money in this laptop, you will be reaping the benefits later.

Pre-Purchase Considerations

The laptop is an essential part of our lives in 2024. Either it’s work or enjoyment, imagining things without a laptop seems difficult. Therefore having the best laptop is not less than a blessing. Another important factor in this regard is that you never purchase a laptop without thinking that you would use it for a month and then dump it. The reason is that you must have stored the important data and files in it.

Transferring data from one laptop to another is such a hectic and tiring task. Also, sometimes you would be mad if you lose the data while changing laptops. Therefore, you must go for laptops that are durable and which can accompany you for some time. Therefore, we have compiled this important buyer’s guide for you so that you don’t end up buying the trash and wasting your money and time.

After reviewing the best laptops under $400 which you can purchase in 2024, we have found some of the important tips and tricks to share with you. Therefore, you must keep those tips and tricks in your mind before making the final purchase. So, without any further delays, here we go!

The Screen of the Laptop

The most important trick which you must keep in mind is about the screen of the laptop which you are intending to purchase. When we say screen that means the size of the screen. You will see that these days normal laptops have 13 to 15 inches screens. However, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to go for the smaller or even larger screen.

In any case, you must keep in mind that you may be moving your laptop with you to your office or laptop or granny’s home so if you opt for the larger screens then it will be affecting the portability. Though, you may not be able to find good screens in the lowest budget ranges. Yet, you can do a thorough search to find the best laptop. To reduce your fatigue, we have opted for these laptops with excellent screens and thus we suggest you opt for them too. They are:

  • Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
  • Asus VivoBook 15
  • HP 14 INCH A9 9425 Processor

The Processor of Your Laptop

Another important consideration which you must keep in mind before making the final purchase is the processor of your laptop. It will not be wrong to say that a processor does the functioning of a heart inside the computer or laptop. Therefore, the influence of the processor on the laptop is very large. Purchasing a laptop with a trashy processor will get you into trouble more often.

We suggest you go for efficient laptops which come with strong processors. For example, you may opt for laptops that have an Intel Core processor or AMD Ryzen. You may go for Acer Aspire 5 Slim A515-43-R19L 15.6-inch offering 2.6Ghz AMD Ryzen 3 3200U and an Intel i3.

Storage & Memory Capacity

The storage and memory are often used in one place and this is also an important consideration to check before purchasing the best laptop in an economical budget in 2024. However, they are totally different concepts. The memory of a laptop is often referred to as the RAM also. Having larger storage and RAM is always good.

Especially, if you are using some heavy software or games then smaller storage and RAM will be making you frustrated by slowing down your laptop. One of the modern solutions to limited storage and memory is using the SSD (solid-state drive) which will be keeping your things speedy in a considerable manner.

FAQs

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Which best laptops under $400 offer the best battery features in 2024?

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best laptops under $400 which you can grab in 2024. It has a very good battery which will be functioning for constant 6 hours as you charge it. So, you may work in a carefree mode with this laptop.

Should we prefer cheaper laptops?

The economical laptops will be good in terms of functionality and design. However, there may be circumstances when you would like to have advanced features for your work and entertainment. In that case, the cheaper laptops have their limitations.

What are the two best laptops under $400?

You may grab these two best laptops under $400: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 and Dell Inspiron 14 5000.

Bottom Line

With this section, we come to the end of the detailed review guide and the purchaser’s consideration regarding the best laptops under $400. We hope now you must be in a very clear position to decide about your favorite laptop. Though the products we reviewed are all very good and possess excellent features. However, we have opted for the top three based on their excellent features. They are:

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 due to its user-friendliness, 10th gen powerful processor, and sharper IPS display

Dell Inspiron 14 5000 due to its optional backlit keyboard, excellent durability, and UHD integrated graphics

Acer Aspire 5 Slim A515-43-R19L 15.6-inch due to its lightweight design, excellent contrast, and the remarkable battery life

We will be glad to find your thoughts on the best laptops under $400. Therefore, please do share them with us. Thank you!

About Giuseppe Krehbiel

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